If you have any foot issues caused by a disease or an injury, it may be time to see a foot specialist. In case you do not urgently see one, your foot could suffer permanent damage. Luckily, Dr. Marco Vargas Sugar Land understands that and has stepped in to fill the gap.
As crucial as it is to see them, some people do not take their condition seriously until it is too late. There are certain problems you may face if you do not seek help. Here are some issues you may experience.
Bunions
These are bony bumps that form on the joint of the big toe. They cause the tip of the toe to pull toward the smaller toes. They are mainly caused by wearing tight-fitting shoes. Other reasons that can contribute to bunions include arthritis and heredity.
Change in Foot Shape
It is normal for the shape of your foot to gradually change as you age. If the process happens too quickly, you will begin to suffer some pain. In such a case, you could be suffering from osteoarthritis. The condition changes the foot’s shape by causing a new bone to grow in and around the joint.
People with such a condition cannot easily manage the condition at home. That is because you will only succeed in managing the pain temporarily. The best thing to do is visit a physical therapist who will know how to ease foot pain completely associated with a deformed foot.
Misshapen Toes
If you have misshapen toes, it could mean you have a hammertoe. Hammertoes cause an unusual bend in the middle joint of the second, third or fourth toe. They may occur as a result of wearing tight shoes, having a long toe, or contracting arthritis. This condition becomes more difficult to treat if you wait longer. As soon as you notice misshapen toes cause your pain, see a doctor immediately.
The only way doctors can treat misshapen toes is through surgery. A common surgical procedure doctors do is proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fusion. It involves straightening the toe and stabilizing it by fusing two bones together.
Ingrown Toenails
There are a lot of factors that contribute to ingrown toenails. They include injury, cutting toenails too short, or wearing shoes that constrict the toes. Ingrown nails cause not only pain but also infections. Some people try to care for their nails themselves but make things worse, which is why seeing a doctor is the only step to take.
There are many solutions a specialist may offer for ingrown nails. First, they could pull the skin away from the ingrown toenail with tape. Another thing they could do is partially remove the nail by numbing the toe.
Thick Calluses or Corns
Calluses and corns occur when the skin on the feet rub against each other. They are typically caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes or not wearing shoes with socks. If you let them grow bigger, you will experience a lot of pain.
If you see a foot specialist, they will either cut them off or give you soft pads to reduce the pain.
Believe it or not, there are other reasons you may experience foot pain. However, the ones we have mentioned tend to be the common cause of the discomfort. Since there are many reasons that cause foot pain, it would be best to seek help from a foot specialist. If you wait too long, the pain may worsen, and your foot may end up looking grotesque due to being misshapen. Luckily, foot specialists do not charge much; you can manage the cost.
